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Diversity Improving For First-Time TV Directors

The Directors Guild's television diversity efforts appear to be bearing fruit, with the percentage of ethnic minority first-time TV directors more than doubling from 2009-10 to 2016-17 and the percentage of women nearly tripling, according to a report released Wednesday by the union. Still, the most recent cohort is still about three-quarters (72 percent) Caucasian and two-thirds (68 percent) male.

The guild also criticized the practice of allowing series stars, writers, producers and crew to direct episodes, since most of them do not go on to direct on other series, according to the study.

"Finally, after years of our efforts to educate the industry, hold employers accountable through our contracts and push them to do better, we're seeing signs of meaningful improvement," said DGA president Thomas Schlamme.

The emphasis on first-time directors reflects a DGA desire to make progress that persists into the future.